Kelley’s Weekly Message: September

Dear Friends,

We were made for this moment of crisis. I see it every day as I travel the country — in the courage of students stepping up at their schools, in communities fighting for health equity and in faith leaders opening their doors to affirm our dignity. And now, through the Our American Dreams series, you can see it too.

Alongside the American Dreams Tour, we launched Our American Dreams, a YouTube series that lifts both the hope and the harm we see in this fight. These aren’t just videos; they’re portraits of resilience, capturing the people and places shaping the future of equality.

For the second episode of HRC’s Our American Dreams series, we traveled southwest to San Antonio and Las Vegas. We continue to meet and listen to queer people and allies across the country — sharing raw, unfiltered journeys of identity, resilience and hope. This episode includes HRC’s Equality Town Hall in San Antonio with Planned Parenthood South Texas CEO Laura Terrill, a longtime ally and advocate for reproductive rights. We hear from local leaders and community members about issues that connect deeply to our lives: LGBTQ+ equality, immigration, reproductive freedom and voting rights.

In Las Vegas, we explored whether it’s really true that “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” At the LGBTQ Center of Southern Nevada, we toured their brand-new health care facility — the Gavin J. Goorjian Center for Health — and helped debut their mobile health clinic’s new name: Mobilina, Queen of the Desert. With the help of four fabulous Vegas drag artists, we saw how this mobile clinic extends critical health, dental and mental health services — including HIV, Hep C and STI testing — to tribal and rural communities.

We also sat down with Congressman Steven Horsford, who reminded us that no major social justice movement has ever been victorious without the leadership and participation of young people. We joined an HIV Equality Panel where advocates, students, teachers and business owners shared their perspectives in a powerful, revealing discussion. And we ended our time in Las Vegas with an uplifting service at Abundant Peace United Church of Christ, where Pastor Wilfred Moore preached a message of love and hope for all people.

Please watch, share and subscribe. Our stories only go as far as we tell them. And right now, the world needs to hear them.

Just this week, the Department of Justice announced that it was considering potential plans to bar transgender Americans from exercising their constitutional right to own a gun. While this is not a final policy by any means, let’s be clear: the Constitution isn’t a privilege reserved for the few. It guarantees basic rights to all. As HRC’s own Laurel Powell put it in her statement:

“Transgender people are your neighbors, classmates, family members and friends — and we deserve the full protection of our nation’s laws, not anti-American nonsense from the White House. If rights can be stripped from one group simply because of who they are, they can be stripped from anyone.”

At the same time, the Texas legislature doubled down on cruelty, pushing forward an anti-trans bathroom ban. During a special session meant to provide relief after deadly floods, lawmakers instead rammed through a bill that denies transgender and non-binary people the ability to safely access public facilities.

I said it then and I’ll say it again now: everyone deserves to be safe in the most private of spaces. This bill represents dangerous government overreach and creates conditions where humiliating inspections and harassment become the norm. For transgender Texans in particular, it makes daily life harder, riskier and less free. And for all Texans, it’s yet another reminder that these lawmakers are interested in control, not care.

These attacks are sobering. But they are also clarifying. They remind us why we cannot afford to stand on the sidelines.

These assaults on our rights don’t exist in a vacuum. They are part of a broader effort to undermine democracy itself. We saw this play out on Capitol Hill, where Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified before the Senate Finance Committee after weeks of chaos in the Department of Health and Human Services.

Kennedy doubled down on fringe anti-vaccine views, fueling misinformation that could endanger millions of Americans. His words were so reckless that more than 1,000 current and former HHS employees signed a letter demanding his resignation. Their letter was clear: when leaders abandon science, they abandon their oath to the American people.

This, too, is connected to our fight. Just as trans people are scapegoated to score political points, public health itself is being sacrificed for ideology. And just as equality voters are being ignored, entire communities are being silenced in the halls of power.

This is why storytelling matters. At every stop of the American Dreams Tour, I’ve seen how sharing our stories cuts through noise, disarms cynicism and sparks change.

In Las Vegas, we sat with leaders fighting for HIV equity, immigrant justice and mental health support. In San Antonio, we witnessed the power of intergenerational storytelling — from young activists envisioning a new future to elders who’ve carried us through decades of struggle. At every turn, these stories are proof: our people are resilient, imaginative and unstoppable.

Friends, I won’t sugarcoat it: this week has been heavy. When the DOJ attempts to strip rights, when Texas lawmakers pass cruelty into law and when the nation’s top health official spreads dangerous disinformation, it can feel like we are up against forces too big to fight.

But here is what I know: we were made for this moment.

So here’s my ask: watch and share Episode 2 of Our American Dreams. Talk about it with your friends, your neighbors, your networks. Let these stories fuel you. Because our dreams and our resilience are needed now more than ever.

Together, we will not only endure this moment — we will transform it.

Talking Points & Actions:

“Our American Dreams”: This week, HRC released Episode 2 of “Our American Dreams,” a YouTube series that lifts both the hope and the harm we see in our fight for freedom. These aren’t just videos; they’re portraits of resilience, capturing the people and places shaping the future of equality. Watch, like and subscribe to our latest installment, which focuses on our time in San Antonio, Texas, and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Gun Rights for Trans Americans: The Department of Justice announced that it was considering potential plans to bar transgender Americans from exercising their constitutional right to own a gun. While this is not a final policy by any means, let’s be clear: the Constitution isn’t a privilege reserved for the few; it guarantees basic rights to all. Read Laurel Powell’s statement in an ABC News story.

Meet Ophelia: The Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Welcoming Schools program announced its pick for the September Book of the Month: Ophelia After All by Racquel Marie. The initiative is designed to bring queer joy, visibility and representation amid political attacks on books with LGBTQ+ characters and storylines. It aims to inspire people in both red and blue states to bring these books into schools, libraries, community centers and other youth-friendly spaces. Meet Ophelia and read more here.

One Million Voices: Your voice is your power. Let’s send a clear message: we won’t tolerate hate and discrimination. Let’s show how strong and united our community is — sign our One Million Voices for Equality pledge today to add your voice to drive real change for LGBTQ+ people.

Dear Friends,

It seems, dreadfully, like it’s another week, another alarming instance of political violence — this time, the killing of Charlie Kirk at a university in Utah; another week, another devastating school shooting — this time, at a high school in Colorado. Both sickening. Both unacceptable, yet both far too common. We cannot ever accept this epidemic of gun violence as normal. We cannot keep living like this.

In the immediate aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s murder, the Wall Street Journal published unconfirmed reports that wrongfully tied the shooter to the LGBTQ+ community. This erroneous reporting was reckless and irresponsible, and it led to a wave of threats against the trans community from right-wing influencers — and a wave of terror for a community that is already living in fear.

Many online took the reporting from the Journal as an opportunity to spread vile, dangerous rhetoric about the LGBTQ+ community.

Rage is what makes this country a tinder box. The rush to lob hot takes and publish click bait is not how we are going to get out of this deeply divided, dangerous era. News outlets like the Wall Street Journal must do better.

Join HRC in calling on the Wall Street Journal to retract the erroneously reported link between the shooter and the LGBTQ+ community and apologize for the paper’s misleading coverage and amplification of hate.

This week, HRC took to Capitol Hill for Lobby Day to exercise our constitutional right to petition our government. Lobby Day is a long-standing tradition and an opportunity to do what HRC does best — sharing our truths to amplify the power of our membership in the halls of power. Nearly 130 volunteers and staff members participated in 107 meetings in the House and Senate, telling their stories to members of Congress and their staff. The topics we talked about included the Equality Act, federal funding for HIV treatment and prevention and an end to the political attacks against the LGBTQ+ community.

And tonight, the American Dreams Tour continues with our next “Equality Town Hall” here in Washington, D.C. Joining me on the stage will be moderator April Ryan, acclaimed journalist, author and MSNBC political analyst; Virginia State Senator Danica Roem, the first openly transgender person elected to a U.S. statehouse; and U.S. Representative Emily Randall, the first LGBTQ+ Latina in Congress.

We’ll be discussing how to respond to the threats against our community with unity, courage and resolve, while also recognizing that the journey to LGBTQ+ equality has never been about one issue — it’s about the interconnected fights for racial justice, immigrant justice, reproductive freedom and democracy itself. Through our voices, we will not only examine the challenges ahead but also call our community to action: to stand up, without question, for all LGBTQ+ people and the promise of equality. Whether in statehouses, Congress, culture or communities across the country, we must organize, speak out and vote as if our lives depended on it — because they do.

All of our efforts depend on establishing and developing visibility and representation for our community, and toward that end, we are already looking ahead to celebrating National Coming Out Day (NCOD) on October 11th. Since 1988, NCOD has shined a light on the power of our stories to fuel the fight for equality. This year, that power is more vital, and more necessary, than ever. We must stay visible, vibrant and unapologetically ourselves. Whether you’re LGBTQ+ or an ally, NCOD is the perfect moment to lift up our community.

In terms of representation, HRC was proud to endorse Angie Craig for U.S. Senate this week. U.S. Rep. Craig is the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to Congress from Minnesota — and the first openly LGBTQ+ mom and grandmother to serve. She has been a fierce champion for equality, from helping pass the Respect for Marriage Act to standing up for LGBTQ+ families across the state. She has shown what it means to lead with courage and conviction. Minnesotans deserve that kind of tireless advocate who will work to ensure everyone has the chance to chase their American dream. And the Senate needs Angie’s voice.

And we need your voice and your support. Whether the task is to keep the press honest to protect our community or lobby our government to advance equality, to join HRC on the American Dreams Tour or support pro-equality champions for public office, your voice matters — your story matters. And our community is stronger with your sharing of it.

Talking Points & Actions:

Calling out the Wall Street Journal: In the immediate aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s murder, the Wall Street Journal published unconfirmed reports that wrongfully tied the shooter to the LGBTQ+ community. This reporting led to a wave of threats against the trans community and a wave of terror for a community that is already living in fear. Join HRC in calling on the Wall Street Journal to retract the erroneously reported link and apologize for its misleading coverage and amplification of hate.

SpeakOUT Kickoff Call: HRC President Kelley Robinson and special guests from Hollywood, politics and our community kick off National Coming Out Day with stories, connection and energy to inspire a weekend of action on October 9th at 7:00 PM ET. RSVP today and more information will come soon.

SpeakOUT Open House: On October 11th — National Coming Out Day — living rooms, coffee shops and community spaces will come alive with stories, as folks across the country gather for open houses to build community. Whether you’re LGBTQ+ or an ally, this is your moment to celebrate, connect and take action. Sign up to join or host a SpeakOUT Open House today.

One Million Voices: The Human Rights Campaign is over 3.6 million strong. Our stories matter, and our voices will be heard. Sign our One Million Voices for Equality pledge to add your voice to drive real change for LGBTQ+ people.

Dear Friends,

What a week it has been. Democracy itself is under attack not in some distant future, not in history books — but right here, right now. This past week made that clearer than ever.

Donald Trump told reporters that he would “have no problem” removing Pride flags from private property in Washington, D.C. And then came another blow: the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show. For years, Jimmy used his platform to tell the truth with humor, to call out hypocrisy and to stand proudly with our community. Stripping away a voice like his isn’t just about ratings or entertainment — it is about narrowing the space for dissent, for allyship and for laughter that speaks truth to power.

Let’s be absolutely clear: these are not isolated incidents. They are part of a broader effort to intimidate, to erase and to chip away at the very foundations of democracy.

That is why the National Dinner last weekend was so much more than a celebration. It was a declaration of resilience, unity and power. With thousands of our HRC family gathered in Washington, D.C., the room itself was proof that no amount of hate can diminish the force of love and justice. Together, we raised critical resources that will fuel this movement in the months ahead — funding the organizing, the advocacy and the protections our families urgently need.

We honored Amy Sherald, whose art continues to shine light even in the face of censorship, with the Ally for Equality Award. She reminded us that art can be both a mirror and a medicine, calling us to imagine a world where no one is invisible.

We were lifted by Governor Wes Moore, who proclaimed Maryland a safe haven for LGBTQ+ people and reminded us that those who lead with love endure far longer than those who traffic in hate.

We were inspired by Congresswoman Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress, who reminded us that “the answer to hate is not more hate… joy grows our ranks. And hope — infectious, inviting hope — is the only way forward.”

And I had the privilege of sharing what I believe with all my heart: freedom belongs to us. It is our inheritance, won by generations of LGBTQ+ people who refused to give up. Now it is our turn to claim it.

The National Dinner has always been a statement of who we are and where we’re going. This year, that statement rang loud and clear: we are not going anywhere.

That’s why our movement must remain vigilant. We must not bow to the forces of anti-equality, whether in our society or on Capitol Hill. This week we also witnessed anti-equality lawmakers attack our ability to live healthy, dignified lives. Extremists in the House advanced a budget that would slash $2 billion from HIV prevention, treatment, and research programs. As Congressman Mark Pocan rightly asked, why should a full one-fourth of the Department of Health and Human Services’ cuts fall on this one virus — disproportionately targeting the LGBTQ+ community?

We are in a season of both challenge and opportunity. The attacks are real, but so is our power.

Finally, I want to acknowledge the deep pain and fear our trans family is carrying right now. Across this country, trans people are being targeted not only with hateful rhetoric, but with policies and threats that seek to erase their very existence.

JD Vance even went so far as to suggest that trans people are a “domestic terrorist threat” to America. Rhetoric like this is not only baseless and dehumanizing — it’s dangerous. But here’s what I know: our trans siblings are not alone. They are at the heart of this movement, and we will never stop fighting shoulder to shoulder with them. Our movement has always advanced when we embrace unity, courage and love. That same spirit will carry us through this moment of crisis.

So let’s keep pushing. Let’s keep building. Let’s keep claiming the freedom that is already ours.

Talking Points & Actions:

Kelley Robinson: At our National Dinner last Saturday, Kelley told the story of our community’s resilience, our defiance and our brilliance. As she said then — freedom belongs to us; it is our inheritance, bought and paid for with the courage of generations who refused to give up. And it is our responsibility to claim it now. Watch her speech here.

Governor Wes Moore: We heard from leaders who embody courage in public service. Governor Wes Moore of Maryland electrified the room with his conviction that states can — and must — be safe havens for LGBTQ+ people. He reminded us that while our opponents may try to divide us, “those who seek to destroy will fade away. And those who lead with love will be everlasting.” Watch his speech here.

Congresswoman Sarah McBride: And Congresswoman Sarah McBride of Delaware delivered a speech that was both personal and universal, grounding us in hope at a time when cynicism is tempting. “The answer to hate is not more hate,” she said. “Love invites people in. Joy grows our ranks. And hope — infectious, inviting hope — is the only way forward.” Watch her speech here.

Amy Sherald: And we had the honor of recognizing renowned artist Amy Sherald with the Ally for Equality Award. “No one should be reduced, no dream should be diminished and no life should be overlooked,” she said. Her words carried the same grace and courage reflected in her paintings — works that refuse to let us be invisible. Watch her speech here.

Dear Friends, 

I’ve been thinking a lot about history. American history. Our queer community’s history. And how so much of what we are experiencing today rhymes with the lessons of the past.

This week we saw a lot of action and reaction in the media: the national uproar over the removal (and reinstatement) of Jimmy Kimmel, an attempt to peddle quack science from the Department of Health and Human Services, the verbal assaults on our allies at the United Nations broadcast around the world and the daily chaos coming from the White House with a flurry of un-American executive orders. We were glued to our phones and TVs wondering just what could possibly happen next. The media drove many of our national discussions this week, but this is nothing new for America — or for our communities.

This week in 1975, millions of Americans picked up their latest copy of TIME magazine — one of the most widely read periodicals in the nation. Leonard Matlovich — a decorated Vietnam veteran — appeared on the cover under the headline: “I Am a Homosexual.” With that one courageous act, he shattered the silence surrounding LGBTQ+ people in the military and forced millions of Americans to confront the humanity, dignity and patriotism of gay and lesbian service members. It was a breakthrough in mainstream media representation — and it was also a reminder that progress comes when ordinary people dare to tell the truth about who they are and courageously demand their authentic place in the American story.

Fifty years later, we find ourselves in another moment where truth and courage are urgently needed. The recent executive orders coming out of the White House — designed to attack progressive organizations, threaten individual leaders and undermine democracy itself — are not new tactics. They are part of a long history of disinformation, division and political scapegoating. Just like in Matlovich’s time, our lives and families are being used as political wedges. But this fight is not only about LGBTQ+ people. It is about the very idea of America: will this still be a nation where freedom and fairness are real for everyone, or one where fear and exclusion win the day?

At the Human Rights Campaign, we know what’s at stake — and we are working overtime to ensure that the next chapter in our history is brighter than ever. We are confronting lies with truth. We are building coalitions across movements, because our safety is bound together. We are defending democracy by protecting the vote. And we are making sure that LGBTQ+ people are not only seen, but celebrated as essential to the American story.

And we are proud to lead this work in coalition with LGBTQ+ and allied organizations across America who are seeing these attacks on all of our communities and are declaring in one voice: enough is enough. While we brace ourselves for more Executive Orders and federal directives targeting our communities, especially our trans community members, we took action. We assembled dozens of members of the media along with leaders from organizations across the country to ring the alarm on the harms facing our people, and our democracy.

Our emergency press call responded to reports of impending action by the Trump Administration to weaponize the FBI against the transgender community. As the right wing continues to turn the murder of political activist Charlie Kirk into a weapon against their political opposition, new reports indicate that the FBI is considering making unprecedented moves to categorize transgender people as “violent extremists,” opening the door for law enforcement to go after an entire population of people simply because of who they are. In a related memo, the Heritage Foundation encouraged the FBI to create a new terrorism designation specifically for transgender people and groups who support transgender rights, laying out a chilling roadmap for government persecution of LGBTQ+ people in the country.

This is not just a moment of challenge — it must be a moment of awakening. And just as Leonard Matlovich declared his truth to the nation, we too are declaring ours: we will not be erased; we will not be silenced, and together we will deepen our commitment to building the America we know is possible and that we deserve.

The events of the last week also deepened something else: the certainty that we will fight back. Because where laws attempt to erase us, we persist. Where policies try to limit our rights, we organize. Where stories are banned, we tell more. Where we are denied recognition, we claim it anyway.

This past week has been heavy. These stories are hard to live with. But I believe in what we can achieve. I believe in our collective power. Because every time we lift up a story (including YOURS, which I hope you’ll add to our One Million Voices for Equality campaign), every time we refuse erasure, every time we protect someone’s dignity, we change what’s possible.

And someday in the future, a young LGBTQ+ person who persevered through the struggles of today will find themselves on the cover of a magazine — and their visibility won’t be a novelty or a shock; it will be a celebration and affirmation of the fact that we aren’t going anywhere.
 

Talking Points & Actions:

Urgent Press Call: On Wednesday, HRC joined coalition partners for an emergency press briefing to address the increasing threats to the transgender community from the federal government, as the FBI is reportedly considering deeming transgender people as “violent extremists.” Kelley said, “We need every elected official to also sound the alarm with us… to speak out against this President’s violent actions, to confront the lies that put trans Americans in danger.” Read more here.

Take Action Now: According to media reports, the FBI is considering classifying transgender Americans as “violent extremists.” This could have terrifying consequences: painting transgender people as enemies of the state, escalating violence against our community and endangering LGBTQ+ Americans. Let’s call on Congress to use its full power — legislative authority, oversight responsibilities and public platforms — to reject government-sanctioned discrimination and stand up for LGBTQ+ people everywhere. Add your name today.

HRC Equidade BR: The Human Rights Campaign Foundation launched its fourth annual benchmarking report, “HRC Equidade BR: Global Workplace Equality Program.” It recognizes 75 companies across Brazil that earned the maximum score and designation of “Best Places to Work for LGBTQIA+ People,” as Brazilian companies deepen their commitment to LGBTQIA+ inclusive workplace policies and practices. Read more here.

Leonard Matlovich: This week in 1975, TIME magazine featured Leonard Matlovich on the cover, above the quote, “I Am a Homosexual.” With that one courageous act, Matlovich shattered the silence surrounding LGBTQ+ people in the military and forced millions of Americans to confront the humanity, dignity and patriotism of gay and lesbian service members. Fifty years later, our truth still stands. Get inspired here.